Center for Service Support (CSS) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport July 28.

Capt. Robert T. Stockton relieved Capt. Milton W. Troy III as commanding officer of CSS. Troy had been the commanding officer since May 2019.

While headquartered at NAVSTA Newport, CSS is the echelon commander for the Naval School of Music, Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC), Navy Service Support Advanced Training Command (NSSATC) and Naval Supply Corps School (NSCS) with 15 combined learning sites fleet-wide. 
With a staff of more than 400 professional instructors and educators worldwide, CSS provides Sailors in the Naval Administration, Command Support Program Management, Logistics, Maintenance Coordination, Media, and Security Management communities the necessary professional skills, knowledge, and education to support the fleet’s warfighting mission. CSS also develops and delivers General Skills Training that builds personal and professional growth and development.

During his tour, Troy guided CSS through the convening of 2,172 classes and enrolling 110,000 students in various Navy e-Learning courses, which culminated in the graduation of 129,000 fleet-ready Sailors.  He also worked with key stakeholders from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and other higher echelon staffs to spearhead major programs such as Culture of Excellence, Task Force One Navy, and Warrior Toughness.  He also proactively engaged fleet and policy stakeholders to ensure Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Task Force One Navy Final Report recommendations were actionable, sustainable, and enduring by establishing a battle rhythm and delineating implementation plans and milestones, furthering the Inclusion and Diversity mission through Training with Industry opportunities for the Retail Specialist rating and initiating a comprehensive review and update of outdated training to ensure the needs of all Sailors are met.

“Shortly after I got here I ask you to do four things: build, organize, learn, and deliver,” said Troy. “I didn’t imagine that you would take that clarion call and propel it to the next level. We’re better than we’ve ever been in the history of our Navy because CSS is strategically postured to shape the culture of the Navy for years to come, and you’ll continue to do that not because of the money or the tools, but because of the resources, which is each and every one of you.”

Prior to being relieved of command, Troy told the attendees his appreciation for the time spent with the CSS team during his tour.

“Personally getting to know every one of you warms my heart,” said Troy. “Whether you wear the uniform or not I would consider you all my dearest shipmates for life. The memories alone, I will forever hold dear to me”

Troy, a native of Mullins, S.C., will report to Naval Sea Systems Command at the Washington Navy Yard where he will serve as the chief staff officer. A 1995 graduate of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Morehouse College in Atlanta, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, he served as a the disbursing/sales officer and food service officer aboard USS Normandy (CG 60), the supply officer aboard USS Spruance (DD 963), the Naval Logistics Advisor to the Kuwaiti Navy at the Officer of Military Cooperation-Kuwait and an Individual Augmentation to Joint CREW Composite Squadron One. His last operational assignment was the commanding officer of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit TWO.

Ashore, his tours include serving as an instructor at NSCS, as the Director of the Nuclear Resource Management and Deputy Director of the Customer Value Management Departments at the Naval Inventory Control Point, Fleet Services Officer and Lead for the Fleet Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Team at U. S. Fleet Forces Command, Executive Assistant to the Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and the 47th Chief of Supply Corps, Director for the Internal Review and Evaluation Division and Chief of Staff for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Operations) and Commanding Officer of NSSATC.  He also received master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and the U.S. Naval War College.

Stockton reports to CSS from his previous tour as director for the Total Force Manpower/Manning and Civilian Human Resources Directorate (N1) for NETC. A former enlisted cryptologist and surface warfare officer, Stockton is currently a human resources officer and graduate of Jacksonville University and the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Science in Manpower Systems Analysis.  He is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources.

He has served aboard USS Heron (MHC 52) and USS Carney (DDG 64).  His shore tours include service with Afloat Training Group Mayport, staff of the Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division (N13), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Forward Iraq, executive officer of the U.S. Navy Element at U.S. Southern Command, the human resources and staff/restricted line officer detailer at Navy Personnel Command and the commanding officer of NTTC Meridian, Miss.
CSS reports to NETC, led by Rear Adm. Peter Garvin.  NETC is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command.  Through its “Street to Fleet” focus, NETC recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled warfighters ready to meet the current and future needs of the U.S. Navy.”

For information on CSS, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/CSS.